The coffee steam rises from my cup. The sweet aroma of oversweetened joe tickling my nose. Over the hill rising above the trees the gentle glow of of the morning sunrise bathes the valley in golden light. The porch creaks as I shift my weight. Dundee, my faithful dog and best friend, looks up at me with a slight tilt of his head. I smile and pat him gently as he starts to pant.

"This is your favorite part of the day isn't it boy?" I ask him with a smile.

He let's out a quiet whine in response. "Morning just doesn't get any better than this."

The screen door opens and shuts. Turning I see my five year old daughter come shuffling up. "I was wrong. How's my angel doing this morning?"

"I don't feel good daddy."

"Aww, you don't. Do you feel sick?"

"No, I don't want to go away today."

"Ah, I see. Still a little nervous about your first day at school?"

"Why can't I stay here with you?" She gives me a pouty look.

"Because you have to go to school so you can learn, I can only teach you so much sweetheart."

"You're a better teacher."

"Ha ha, is that so? You haven't met your teacher yet hun. Why not give it a chance? You might like it, meet some new friends."

"I have friends." She points to the barn.

"I mean people friends." I laugh.

"I don't like it and I don't want to go."

"I know, but even I had to go when I was little."

"Did you like it?"

Fragments of memories filled my mind. The first day of school for me was a nightmare. I hid in a storage room the whole day. Had the whole town looking for me. My mother was furious.

"Uh, yeah. I liked it a lot."

"Ok."She smiled.

"How about you go get ready sweetie, I'll be inside in a moment."

"Ok daddy, I love you."

"I love you too sweetheart."

She walked back inside, turning to Dundee he looked up at me and whined.

"I know buddy, they grow too fast."